In this episode, we sit down with Maxim Loskutoff, a writer whose fiction and essays explore the evolving landscapes and identities of the American West. From an early age, Max was drawn to stories, and he made a conscious effort to devote many years of his life to living and working in places and ways that would support his writing. Drawing from his upbringing in Missoula, Montana, he reflects on witnessing the region’s shift from a logging-based economy to one centered around outdoor recreation, and how this transformation shaped his own sense of belonging and the identities of those around him. His insights reveal the complex intersections of place, culture, and change.

We also talk with Gretchen E. Henderson, a writer and educator whose work invites us to reconsider our relationship with the natural world. She discusses her project Dear Body of Water, which encourages communities nationwide to honor water as a collaborator and living peer, rather than merely a commodity or threat. Gretchen also shares some of her pedagogical philosophies that inform her teaching, including the two courses she leads at Oak Spring, where she helps participants engage deeply with place and the environment through creative practice. Both Max and Gretchen open up about their personal journeys into writing, offering listeners a glimpse into the experiences, questions, and passions that led them to their creative paths today.

Gretchen's classes at Oak Spring include Literary Ecologies: Reading to Reinhabit the World, and Writing the Landscape. 

Host: Chris Stafford
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